Jim Franks was a journeyman goaltender who played briefly with three different NHL clubs in the 1930s and '40s. The majority of his success in the pros came in the AHL with several different clubs.

Born in Melville, Saskatchewan, Franks played junior with the Regina Pats before spending a year with the senior Prince Albert Mintos. He was the property of Detroit but only played one regular season game and half a post-season match for the club. Most of Franks' hockey at this time was spent in the AHL with the Pittsburgh Hornets. He later played two seasons with the Indianapolis Capitols and led all AHL goalkeepers with 56 appearances in 1940-41.

In October, 1942 Franks was loaned to the New York Rangers as a war-time replacement for Sugar Jim Henry. He posted a 5-14-4 record for the "Blueshirts" then returned to the Wings at the start of the next season. In October 1943 Detroit suspended him for refusing his assignment to Indianapolis then returned to the fold when he agreed to play road games only. He recorded eight wins and one shutout in 17 appearances for Detroit.

On January 29, 1944, Franks was loaned to Boston as an emergency fill-in when Herb Gardiner was injured. He fought gamely against his own team but the weak Bruins lost 6-1. Franks retired in 1945 after spending most of the season in the AHL with the Buffalo Bisons and St. Louis Flyers.

REGULAR SEASON

PLAYOFFS

Season

Club

League

GP

W

L

T

SO

Avg

GP

W

L

T

SO

Avg

1932-33

Regina Pats

S-SJHL

2

0

1.50

2

2

0

0

2

0.00

1932-33

Regina Pats

M-Cup

13

7

3

3

0

0.77

1933-34

Melville Millionaires

S-SJHL

1934-35

Kerrobert Tigers

SAHA-I

1935-36

Prince Albert Mintos

N-SSHL

18

11

6

1

1

3.78

3

2

1

0

0

2.33

1935-36

Prince Albert Mintos

Al-Cup

7

5

2

0

0

2.37

1936-37

Pittsburgh Hornets

AHL

20

8

9

3

1

2.78

1

1

0

0

0

1.00

1936-37

Detroit Red Wings

NHL

1

0

1

0

4.00

1937-38

Detroit Red Wings

NHL

1

1

0

0

0

3.00

1937-38

Pittsburgh Hornets

AHL

9

3

4

2

1

2.57

1938-39

Pittsburgh Hornets

AHL

33

16

14

3

1

3.04

1938-39

Syracuse Stars

AHL

1

0

0

1

0

2.57

1938-39

Kansas City Greyhounds

AHA

4

3

1

0

1

2.50

1939-40

Indianapolis Capitols

AHL

29

16

7

6

2

2.23

1940-41

Indianapolis Capitols

AHL

56

17

28

11

1

2.88

1941-42

Omaha Knights

AHA

39

19

14

6

1

2.90

8

8

0

0

0

1.93

1942-43

New York Rangers

NHL

23

5

14

4

0

4.48

1942-43

Pittsburgh Hornets

AHL

4

1

3

0

0

4.45

1943-44

Detroit Red Wings

NHL

17

6

8

3

1

4.06

1943-44

Boston Bruins

NHL

1

0

1

0

0

6.00

1943-44

Buffalo Bisons

AHL

1

1

0

0

0

1.00

1944-45

Buffalo Bisons

AHL

1

0

0

1

0

2.00

1944-45

St. Louis Flyers

AHL

29

5

21

3

1

3.97

NHL Totals

42

12

23

7

1

4.30

1

0

1

0

4.00

Signed as a free agent by Detroit, May 7, 1936. Loaned to NY Rangers by Detroit for 1942-43 season as a war-time replacement for Jim Henry, October, 1942. Suspended by Detroit for refusing assignment to Indianapolis (AHL), October, 1943. Suspension lifted after Franks agreed to play "road games only" for club, December, 1943. Loaned to Boston by Detroit to replace injured Bert Gardiner, January 29, 1944. (Detroit 6, Boston 1).